Microsoft's Mobile Messaging Plans Address Enterprise Integration Woes

The Microsoft Mobile Workplace initiative, which Ballmer unveiled at the Microsoft .NET Mobility and Wireless Solutions Conference here, will provide Microsoft consulting and specifications to help integrations roll out a variety of mobile solutions in the often disparate enterprise environment.

The first in the series of mobile solutions from Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft is a wireless e-mail blueprint for large-scale systems integrators, said Ed Suwanjindar, a product manager in Microsoft's mobility group.

Systems integrators that participate in the program will have access to specifications and consulting that Suwanjindar said will simplify mobile e-mail deployment, provisioning, system management and security in a cross-platform environment where legacy systems are often prevalent.

"There are significant challenges to wide-scale deployment of solutions in the enterprise," he said.

Microsoft chose to focus on wireless e-mail first because of growing corporate demand for the application, he said.

Indeed, the Yankee Group reported that 75 percent of U.S. enterprises are interested in deploying a wireless e-mail solution, such as the behind-the-firewall application for which Research In Motion has carved out a niche.

Suwanjindar acknowledged that Microsoft is looking to increase its visibility in the wireless arena just months before a number of wirelessly-enabled Pocket PC devices are expected to hit the market.

"We certainly hope this initiative will kick-start a wide scale adoption for [wireless e-mail and PIM synchronization," he said.

Solution providers and vendors have indicated that a handhelds will soon ship with integrated 802.11b Wi-Fi and/or 2.5G services.

Larry Mittag, vice president and CTO of mobile integrator Stellcom, San Diego, said he expects vendors to be offering Pocket PCs with a combination of Wi-Fi and 2.5G at the end of this year or early next year.

These types of devices, "will just add fuel to the fire that is burning under wireless," he said.

Toshiba has taken a first step, releasing in June a Pocket PC with built-in Wi-Fi. The company said it expects to offer dual Wi-Fi/2.5G units by the first quarter of 2003.

Microsoft also is said to be working on drivers and other technology that will support multiple wireless connections in a handheld device.

While Microsoft touted three strong integrator partners -- HP Services, Accenture and Cap Gemini Ernst and Young--not all solution providers were impressed by the offering.

Technology consultant Ron Herardian, said Microsoft's idea of mobile messaging still requires too much integration work to be palatable to most companies.

"It's hard to take it seriously," said Herardian, whose consulting firm, Global System Services, Mountain View, Calif., specializes in messaging and software infrastructure for enterprise and service provider customers.

Herardian said most customers are evaluating wireless e-mail only for a select group of employees --those who need to be in constant communication or travel frequently. For this group of employees, he said, enterprises are looking for an easy and secure wireless messaging package.

"The real strength of RIM is it is a one-stop solution," he said.

Suwanjindar said other integrators will be invited to take part in the program over time, although he was unable to provide details about participation requirements at press time.

Microsoft's wireless e-mail initiative will support mobile messaging on Pocket PCs and the forthcoming Smart Phones, each based on a version of the OS vendor's Windows CE, Suwanjindar said.